Government and the railways

The Government’s role in the running of the railways is to provide strategic direction and to procure rail services and projects that only it can specify. Transport Scotland and the Welsh Government have devolved rail responsibilities.

Department for Transport and the railways

The Department for Transport is responsible for specifying and letting contracts to train operating companies to run franchised passenger services in England and inter-city services to and from Scotland and Wales. The Department also works with local and regional bodies, the rail industry and passenger transport executives.